Jaques Morelenbaum

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1970

Genres

bossa nova, MPB, chamber music, jazz

Instruments

cello

Biography

Jaques Morelenbaum is a renowned Brazilian cellist, arranger, conductor, music producer, and composer, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1954. Coming from a deeply musical family, he began his professional journey with the group A Barca do Sol before establishing a legendary decade-long partnership with Antônio Carlos Jobim, which culminated in a Grammy win for the album Antônio Brasileiro. Throughout his illustrious career, Morelenbaum has collaborated with a vast array of iconic MPB and bossa nova artists, including Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Marisa Monte, and Ivan Lins, shaping the sonic landscape of modern Brazilian popular music.

Beyond his contributions to traditional Brazilian genres, Morelenbaum has crossed international borders, working with global luminaries such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Sting, while also shaping significant orchestral and acoustic projects for rock acts like Titãs and Engenheiros do Hawaii. His versatility extends to cinema, where he co-composed the acclaimed soundtrack for Central do Brasil alongside Antonio Pinto. Whether performing in chamber settings like the Quarteto Jobim Morelenbaum or directing major symphony orchestras, his sophisticated arrangements and expressive cello playing continue to cement his legacy in global music.

Discography

• Paulo Moura, Raphael Rabello, Jaques Morelenbaum, Zé da Velha – Brasil Instrumental - Sax, Violão, Cello & Trombone (1985)
• Carmem com Filtro (1986)
• Egberto Gismonti Group, Jaques Morelenbaum, Nando Carneiro, Zeca Assumpção – Infância (1991)
• Astor Piazzolla - Egberto Gismonti - Jaques Morelenbaum – New Tango, Brazilian Touch (1992)
• Caetano Veloso, Jaques Morelenbaum – O Qu4trilho (1995)
• Antônio Pinto & Jaques Morelenbaum – Central do Brasil (Trilha Sonora do Filme) (1998)
• Mariza With Jaques Morelenbaum And Sinfonietta de Lisboa – Concerto em Lisboa (2006)
• Paolo Fresu & Omar Sosa Featuring Jacques Morelenbaum – Alma (2011)
• THREE (2012)
• Goro Ito, Jaques Morelenbaum – Rendez-Vous In Tokyo (2014)
• Cellosam3atrio - Saudade do Futuro Futuro da Saudade (2014)
• Paolo Fresu & Omar Sosa , Featuring Natacha Atlas & Jaques Morelenbaum – Eros (2016)
• Paula e Jaques Morelenbaum Featuring CelloSam3aTrio – Live In Italia (Omaggio a Jobim) (2016)
• Suite Três Rios (2016)
• Invento + (Zélia Duncan e Jaques Morelenbaum Interpretam Milton Nascimento) (2017)
• Música na Serrinha (2017)
• Paolo Fresu, Daniele Di Bonaventura, Jaques Morelenbaum – The Sun On The Sea (2021)
• Stefania Tallini & Gabriel Grossi, Jaques Morelenbaum – BRASITA (2022)
• flor do milênio (2022)
• Gaia Wilmer e Jaques Morelenbaum – Trem das Cores (2023)
• Aracati (2024)
• Goro Ito + Paula Morelenbaum + Jaques Morelenbaum – Tree, Forests: Tribute To Ryuichi Sakamoto (2025)
• João Bosco: "Corsário" and guests Jaques Morelenbaum, Mestrinho e Vanessa Moreno (Live at Rio Montreux Jazz Festival) (2025)
• Egberto Gismonti - Orquestra Sinfônica da Bahia, Jaques Morelenbaum – Sonhos de Castro Alves